18 April 2014

4 Steps: Save the Lewis and Clark Library

Now is the time we need to exert maximum pressure on the St. Louis County Library's Board of Trustees.


Lewis & Clark Branch Library (Photograph copyright © 2012 Andrew Raimist).
We need an overwhelming show of support for preserving the library at the next board meeting on Monday, April 21 at 3:30pm at the Headquarters Branch of the library located at 1640 South Lindbergh Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63131 (map location: http://goo.gl/maps/BwwkS)

Meriwether Lewis on library facade (Photograph copyright © 2012 Andrew Raimist).
Modern STL is spearheading this preservation effort. Also on hand will be representatives of The North Saint Louis County community surrounding the library, the Society of Architectural Historians, the American Institute of Architects, Landmarks Association of Saint Louis and the Sam Fox School of Design and Visual Arts at Washington University in St. Louis.

Modern STL logo.
The news media including television, newspaper, internet-based, bloggers, radio and other broadcasters will be recording and sharing our overwhelming expression of support for this important piece of St. Louis cultural history.
FOUR STEPS
#1 - Show up at the Board meeting Monday to show your support for saving the Lewis and Clark Library: http://bit.ly/1mjCY1E 
#2 - Sign the petition and include comments with your signature as to why the building must be preserved: http://bit.ly/1kOpnxx 
#3 - Send an email letter to St. Louis County Executive Charlie Dooley letting him know you the Library Board's implementation of their master plan is flawed. Their building plan should be temporarily halted (moratorium on building through December 2014) until input from each local each community where new libraries are planned to be constructed. http://bit.ly/1hTugYq 
#4 - Share this to do list with friends interested in preserving and enhancing St. Louis architecture culture. Please forward this information to as many of your contacts as possible via email, Facebook, Twitter or your preferred networking tool. Do it now!
http://andrewraimist.com/2014/04/4-steps-save-lewis-and-clark-library.html 
Children's Corner with Charlie Dooley "READ" poster at lower right. (Photograph copyright © 2012 Andrew Raimist).

01 April 2014

SLCL Survey

I wrote these comments on a new survey being done by the St. Louis County Library system. Please complete the survey and tell them what you think!



"I find the library's plan to demolish and rebuild perfectly functional buildings to be a waste of resources. In particular, I am appalled that the library would even consider demolishing the most beautiful, most historic branch in the entire system: the Lewis & Clark Branch Library!! Doing so would be to destroy an important part of our heritage. Please renovate and add an amazing addition! Please use the money saved for special programs to connect to children and adults in the community! Fiber optics to schools. Laptops or iPads for loan. Technology center! Creative work-spaces (music, web design, art, digital media, etc.). Make this branch the showcase of the entire system to truly demonstrate that north St. Louis County deserves an amazing, state-of-the-art facility that respects and honors its history! There's no reason to waste money on foundations, structure, HVAC, roofing, etc. instead, build on what is already great about the building! Commission new art for the new entrance!"




Please take this survey and tell the Library what you think: